My Passport Appointment: Cebu-Bacolod; Bacolod-Cebu

Bacolod Public Plaza - Bacolod Negros Occidental

Hello Bacolod! In case you are wondering why am i here, please check out How I Got my Philippine Passport? In case you are in the same shoe as me, I hope this blog would be a little help.

I have read that there are buses going directly to Bacolod from the North Bus Terminal in Cebu. So without hesitation, I make a schedule with an appointment.

Cebu to Bacolod

I arrived 4 in the morning at Cebu North Bus Terminal for me to choose a ride. I rode an air-conditioned Ceres Bus going to Bacolod via Escalante. Boat tickets are then announced to be purchase separately on a kiosk outside the bus while the bus tickets were issued after departure. At exactly 5 A.M we depart from the bus station and stopped for a while at Carmen to have breakfast. Around 8 A.M. we arrived at the wharf of Tabuelan. 

Ferry from Tabuelan to Escalante

We took off the bus and let us pay for terminal fee and ride on a ferry. The ferry also carries the bus were riding. The ferry was not air-conditioned but the fresh sea breeze ain't that bad anyway. After 3 hours, we took off the ferry and ride the bus again. It was already time for lunch when we have to stop and eat. After that, a long journey awaits you with sugarcane and trees on your viewfinder. We arrived at Bacolod City North Bus Terminal around 2 in the afternoon. It took me 9 hours to reach Bacolod.

Stay in Bacolod

So I wasn’t able to finish my task at the end of the day so I stayed at Bacolod for a night. But wait, where should I stay? It is helpful to have a smartphone with you, loaded with travel apps or just an internet browser. I searched for a good place to stay in using this method. I strolled along the streets in the morning and visit their Church, San Sebastian Cathedral, Public Plaza and the Provincial Capitol Lagoon. The man-made lagoon attracts locals to invest in their body by doing their morning jog on the area, with security guards on duty for their safety.

San Sebastian Cathedral - Bacolod, Negros Occidental

Interior of San Sebastian Cathedral - Bacolod

Provincial Capitol Lagoon - Bacolod, Negros Occidental

Bacolod to Cebu

11 in the morning when I finally completed my mission in Bacolod, Yosh! I’m coming home Cebu! Now where should I go? DFA office is in Robinsons Bacolod which is nearer the North Bus Terminal. I checked the bus schedules and found out that the bus going to Cebu at Bacolod's North Bus Terminal will depart at 6 P.M. Meanwhile the South Bus Terminal has more buses going to Cebu. So I decided to go there, but unfortunately I didn't know how to get there. I ask the driver and rode a jeep route Mandalagan-Libertad and then La Salle to make it to the terminal. I rode an air-conditioned Ceres Bus going to Cebu via San Carlos. The ticket was issued while we were waiting for the bus and it includes the ticket for the ferry.

a sight of pine trees on a mountainous terrain in Negros Occidental

It was 12 noon when we depart Bacolod South Bus Terminal to San Carlos City. I thought that Negros can only offer the views of their vast sugarcane plantation but in this side of the trip I saw huge mountains, clear rivers, ferns and pine trees. The bus stopped by for us to have a break and have pasalubongs. 

Bukayo (caramelized grated coconut)

I bought bukayo (caramelized grated coconut) it was cheap and tasty.  After 3 hours we reached San Carlos City and rode a ferry. The ferry was also not air-conditioned but has double-beds for their passengers. 

Wharf in Toledo Cebu

We arrive at Toledo Wharf around 5 in the afternoon. Toledo to Cebu North Bus Terminal took 2 hours and 30 minutes. It was a 7-hour travel from Bacolod to Cebu.

TIPS:

• It is too expensive buying on stopovers. Bring your own water and snacks.
• If you’re not planning to visit Escalante City, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Silay City and Talisay City take Toledo-San Carlos Route. It will save you time and money.
• Your smartphone should have mobile data and charger. Mobile data access maps that will help you navigate around the area. A power bank would be a great help.
• If you're from Cebu and planning to schedule an appointment in Bacolod, try Dumaguete first. It is not that far from Cebu.

COSTS: (as of January 2018)

• Cebu (NBT) to Bacolod (NBT) via Tabuelan-Escalante – P420.00
• Tabuelan – Escalante Ferry – P130.00
• Tabuelan Port Terminal Fee – P5.00
• Bacolod (SBT) to Cebu (NBT) via San Carlos-Toledo (including Ferry)– P505.00
• Bukayo – P10.00